Bartels GmbH

What Bartels GmbH does

Bartels GmbH is a privately-held, family-owned German manufacturer founded in 1973 and now in its third generation of ownership under Managing Director Dr.-Ing. Florian Bartels. Headquartered in Markdorf, Germany, the company operates three product divisions unified by precision metalworking and wire-processing expertise: a nautical division (Bartels Nautik) producing furling and reefing systems for sailing yachts sized 18-100 feet, including differentiated Stagreiter sail systems, profile-forestay reefing systems, Code0/Gennaker furlers, and class-boat-specific systems (Drachen, Lacustre, H-Boot, etc.); a railway division (BARTELS Bahntechnik, incorporating the 2011-acquired DOZLER brand) producing pantograph components, current collector assemblies, wire ropes, and welded assemblies certified to DIN EN 15085-2 CL1; and an awning division (SunFurl) applying sailmaking expertise to residential, commercial, hospitality, and education sun-shading solutions up to 100 m².

The core technology rests on seawater-resistant stainless steel and aluminium construction, CNC manufacturing, custom wire and rod processing (1x19, Dyform, 7x19 wire and Rod -4 to -30), and welding capabilities across stainless steel, aluminium, and titanium. The modular building-block system allows configuration of 1,000+ distinct furling and reefing system variants. The company manufactures under DIN ISO 9001:2015 quality standards.

Bartels generates revenue through one-time hardware sales (furling systems, railway components, awnings) supplemented by professional services (planning, installation, maintenance, custom engineering). Distribution is primarily via a Fachhändler (specialist dealer) network with a dedicated login portal for technical documentation and pricing, complemented by direct sales for custom projects and OEM railway work, and supported by annual presence at BOOT Düsseldorf (Hall 10/G55). Geographic reach spans major European sailing regions including the Mediterranean, Baltic, North Sea, Lake Constance, and several inland lakes across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary.

Name

Bartels GmbH

Legal name

BARTELS GmbH

Website

https://bartels.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bartels GmbH is a third-generation German family manufacturer producing furling and reefing systems for sailing yachts, railway pantograph components (DOZLER), and SunFurl awnings, serving yacht owners, shipyards, class associations, rail OEMs, and hospitality clients across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Equipment and Nautical Hardware

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Boat Building (336612)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730), Railroad Equipment (3743)

akta.pro primary industry

Deck Machinery & Mooring Systems (Winches, Windlasses, Capstans) (IMAJAIAA)

Keywords

• Marine furling systems
• Sail reefing equipment
• Railway pantograph components
• Sun shading awnings
• Wire rope processing

Headquarters

HQ city

Markdorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Furling and Reefing Systems: Sale of furling and reefing systems for sailing yachts including stagreiter systems, profile forestay systems, Code0 and Gennaker systems, and individual components. One-time hardware sales with optional professional installation services.
2. Awning Systems (SunFurl): Sale of electrically and manually rollable awning systems for residential, commercial, and institutional use. Includes planning, customisation, and installation services.
3. Railway Components: Production and sale of railway components including pantograph parts, current collector assemblies, wire ropes, and welded assemblies for railway vehicles from high-speed trains to local transport.
4. Professional Services: Installation, maintenance, and repair services for awning systems. Planning services using 3D CAD techniques, on-site assembly, and after-sales service.
5. Wire and Rod Processing: Custom wire rope processing including rolling, pressing, and upsetting for standing rigging, forestays, shrouds, backstays, and AT ropes.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Bartels GmbH manufactures high-quality stainless steel and aluminum furling and reefing systems for sailing yachts ranging from 18 to 100 feet, including systems for stagreiter sails, profile forestay reefing, Code0/Gennaker sails, and class boat-specific solutions. The company also produces pantograph components and welded assemblies for railway vehicles under the BARTELS Bahntechnik brand (DIN EN 15085-2 CL1 certified), and sail-quality awning systems under the SunFurl brand for residential and commercial sun shading applications.

Product overview

Bartels GmbH operates as an owner-managed family business in its third generation, offering three distinct product lines unified by expertise in metalworking and precision engineering. The core nautical division provides furling and reefing systems for sailing yachts (18-100 feet), including systems for stay rider sails, profile forestay reefing, Code0/Gennaker sails, boat class-specific solutions, and individual parts. A complementary wire and rod processing service supports both nautical and railway applications. The second division, BARTELS Railway Components, delivers certified components for pantograph systems in rail vehicles. The third division, SunFurl, applies nautical awning expertise to residential and commercial sun protection solutions. All products are manufactured in Germany (Markdorf) with DIN ISO 9001:2015 certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BARTELS Railway Components: Railway components division developing and producing high-quality components and assemblies for railway applications, focusing on pantographs and related systems, with DIN ISO 9001:2015 and DIN EN 15085 CL1 certifications
• SunFurl

Products and services

• Furling Systems for Stagreiter Sails Furling systems enabling direct sailing of stay rider sails, buttons, or zipper sails on the forestay wire without additional profile. Designed for classic and high-quality yachts where existing sails must continue to be used. Available variants for forestay diameters of 3-12mm, mountable on deck or under deck.
• Reefing Systems with Profile Forestay (Liekband) Combined furling and reefing systems for genoa and jib sails featuring aluminum profile forestay with groove nut for secure sail guidance, enabling optimal adaptation to changing wind conditions. Available with endless line or drum jib furlers, mountable flexibly on deck or under deck with watertight deck feed-through to preserve classic yacht aesthetics.
• Furling Systems for Code0 and Gennaker Furling systems for light-wind sails (Code0 and Gennaker) featuring wide fork for torsion-free winding axes, high-load snap shackles, and non-lost quick-release bolts. Available in Competition series (aluminum for lightweight handling) and Performance series (stainless steel for maximum robustness). Code0 furler can be converted to Gennaker roller using head swivel.
• Systems for Boat Classes Specialized furling and reefing systems tailored to the technical requirements of class boats including Schärenkreuzer, Jollenkreuzer, Folkeboote, Drachen, Lacustre, 806, H-Boot, Varianta, X99, and Aphrodite 101. Systems are aligned with class rules and individual boat characteristics, with personalized consultation and individualized quotes.
• Wire and Rod Processing Custom wire rope and rod processing service for 7x19-, 1x19-, and Dyform-wires as well as Rod-rigging. Includes standard end connections (eye, fork, threaded terminals) and special terminals, torsional-arm rope assemblies with thimbles, splicing work, Bowden cables, large-series production, load testing, and flexible rope constructions. Rod heads up to 11.1mm (-22) can be upset.
• SunFurl Awning Systems Sail-quality awning systems developed from nautical expertise, available in manually rollable, electrically rollable, and fixed tensioned variants. Product range includes RE/RES, AERO, BASE, WING, SOLÈRE, RM series, FX-KiTa, and FX models for residential, commercial, daycare (FX-KiTa), and public facility applications. Areas up to 100m² can be covered with only four fastenings.
• BARTELS Railway Components High-quality components and assemblies for railway applications focused on pantographs and current collector systems, including wire rope processing, DIN EN 15085-CL1 certified welding, and CNC production. Serves railway vehicle manufacturers from high-speed trains to local transport and tram systems, with flexible manufacturing from initial consultation through prototyping to series production. Includes DOZLER brand products integrated in 2011.

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• DOZLERminorOthers · 1 January 2011DOZLER was integrated into Bartels GmbH in 2011. The company continued to develop DOZLER's tried-and-tested railway component products and supports its existing customer base with first-class service and in-depth expertise. DOZLER specialises in railway technology components and assemblies.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Schunk Group: German specialty manufacturer with railway technology division producing pantograph components and carbon contact strips; comparable to Bartels' BARTELS Railway Components division in certified metalwork for rail vehicles.

Direct peers

• Harken: U.S.-headquartered global leader in sailing hardware including furling systems, winches, and blocks; the largest direct competitor to Bartels in the marine furler category with broader product range and global dealer scale.
• Profurl: French manufacturer specializing in furling and reefing systems for cruising yachts; offers comparable endless-line and drum furler product lines targeting the same sailing yacht customer segments as Bartels.
• Schaefer Marine: U.S.-based manufacturer of furling systems, snaps, and sailing hardware; offers competing furler product lines targeting cruising and classic yacht owners across North American and international markets.
• Karver Systems: French specialist in furling systems, blocks, and hardware for performance and cruising yachts; competes directly in the high-performance furler segment where Bartels fields its Competition and Performance series.
• Seldén Mast: Swedish manufacturer of spars, furling systems, and sailing hardware for cruising and racing yachts; directly competes with Bartels in furling systems across European and global sailing markets.
• Antal Srl: Italian manufacturer of sailing hardware and furling/reefing systems; competes with Bartels in Mediterranean markets with comparable stainless steel and aluminium hardware offerings.
• Facnor: French manufacturer of furling systems for sailing yachts including Code0/gennaker furlers; competes head-to-head with Bartels in light-wind sail furling solutions across European dealers.

Broad incumbents

• Lewmar: UK-based marine equipment manufacturer with broad portfolio spanning winches, windlasses, furlers, and anchoring; overlaps with Bartels in deck machinery but at much larger scale and broader product scope.
• Ronstan International: Australian manufacturer of sailing hardware including blocks, furling systems, and architectural products; broader portfolio than Bartels but overlaps in furling systems and serves similar dealer channels globally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/bartels_gmbh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bartels-gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bartels GmbH